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{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Geetha
| image          = Geetha (1981 film).jpg
| image = Kannada film Geetha poster.jpg
| caption       = DVD cover
| caption = Film poster
| director       = [[Shankar Nag]]
| director = [[Shankar Nag]]
| producer       = N. Bhakthavatsalan, A. N. Murthy
| producer = Pramod Narayan
| story         = {{plainlist|
| story = {{plainlist|
*[[Arundathi Nag]]
*[[Arundathi Nag]]
*Shankar Nag
*Shankar Nag
}}
}}
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
| screenplay     = {{plainlist|
*Arundathi Nag
*Arundathi Nag
*Shankar Nag
*Shankar Nag
}}
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring       = {{plainlist|
*Shankar Nag
*Shankar Nag
*[[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]]
*[[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]]
}}
}}
| music = [[Ilayaraja]]
| music         = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cinematography = [[B. C. Gowrishankar]]
| cinematography = [[B. C. Gowrishankar]]
| editing = P. Bhakthavathsalam
| editing       = P. Bhakthavathsalam
| studio = Pushpa Production
| studio         = Pushpa Production
| distributor = {{plainlist|
| distributor   = {{plainlist|
*Padmashri Pictures
*Padmashri Pictures
*Kushtagi Films
*Kushtagi Films
}}
}}
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1981}}
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|1981}}
| runtime = 125 minutes
| runtime       = 125 minutes
| country = India
| country       = India
| language = [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
| language       = Kannada
| budget =  
| budget         =  
| gross =  
| gross         =  
}}
}}


'''''Geetha''''' is a 1981 Indian [[Kannada]] [[Romance film|romance]] [[drama film]] directed by and starring [[Shankar Nag]] in lead, alongside [[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]] in title role.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kumar|first1=Sheila|title=Living the dream: Bengaluru-based Padmavathi Rao is turning in a series of sensitive performances|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/living-dream-bengaluru-based-padmavathi-rao-turning-series-sensitive-performances-50305|publisher=thenewsminute.com|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925015656/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/living-dream-bengaluru-based-padmavathi-rao-turning-series-sensitive-performances-50305|archive-date=25 September 2016|date=23 September 2016}}</ref> The supporting cast features [[K. S. Ashwath]], [[Ramesh Bhat]] and Gayathri. [[Ilayaraaja]] composed the soundtrack and the background score for the film that and was declared a blockbuster musical hit. He went on to re-use four songs from the movie in five different films later. The track "Santhoshakke" from the film became widely popular in [[Karnataka]] and is still performed for in concerts and other events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vasundhara rocks Kudla fans|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vasundhara-rocks-kudla-fans/article2807321.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=17 January 2012|access-date=24 November 2014}}</ref>  
'''''Geetha''''' ({{audio|Kn-ಗೀತಾ.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a 1981 Indian [[Kannada]]-language [[romantic drama film]] directed by and starring [[Shankar Nag]] in lead, alongside [[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]] in title role.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Sheila |date=23 September 2016 |title=Living the dream: Bengaluru-based Padmavathi Rao is turning in a series of sensitive performances |url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/living-dream-bengaluru-based-padmavathi-rao-turning-series-sensitive-performances-50305 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925015656/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/living-dream-bengaluru-based-padmavathi-rao-turning-series-sensitive-performances-50305 |archive-date=25 September 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> The supporting cast features [[K. S. Ashwath]], [[Ramesh Bhat]] and Gayathri. [[Ilaiyaraaja]] composed the soundtrack and the background score for the film that and was declared a blockbuster musical hit. He went on to re-use four songs from the movie in five different films later. The track "Santhoshakke" from the film became widely popular in [[Karnataka]] and is still performed for in concerts and other events.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 January 2012 |title=Vasundhara rocks Kudla fans |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vasundhara-rocks-kudla-fans/article2807321.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230912095204/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vasundhara-rocks-kudla-fans/article13369094.ece |archive-date=12 September 2023 |access-date=24 November 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


The characterization of the lead actress from [[Mani Ratnam]] 's 1989 Telugu movie ''[[Geethanjali (1989 film)|Geethanjali]]'' was reported to have been partially borrowed from this movie - the chirpy attitude with which the eponymous lead speaks and behaves - and also bore a great resemblance in terms of closure of the movie - where she breathes her last due to cancer in the climax.<ref>https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/geethanjali-movie-telugu-mani-ratnam-nagarjuna-ilayaraaja-finding-the-roots-of-mani-ratnams-geethanjali/amp/</ref>
The characterization of the lead actress from [[Mani Ratnam]] 's 1989 Telugu movie ''[[Geethanjali (1989 film)|Geethanjali]]'' was reported to have been partially borrowed from this movie – the chirpy attitude with which the eponymous lead speaks and behaves – and also bore a great resemblance in terms of closure of the movie – where she breathes her last due to cancer in the climax.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2021 |title=Finding the Roots of Mani Ratnam's Geethanjali |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/geethanjali-movie-telugu-mani-ratnam-nagarjuna-ilayaraaja-finding-the-roots-of-mani-ratnams-geethanjali |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009180305/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/telugu-features/geethanjali-movie-telugu-mani-ratnam-nagarjuna-ilayaraaja-finding-the-roots-of-mani-ratnams-geethanjali/ |archive-date=9 October 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref>
== Plot ==
Geetha ([[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]]) is a college-going student, who has co-organised a [[Benefit concert|charity concert]] in her college. Sanjay ([[Shankar Nag]]), a singer, performs at the show singing the track "Santhoshakke". Floored by his performance and good looks, she pursues him. A university champion in [[badminton]], she invites him to her club to play, with an intention to get closer to him and succeeds. However, Geetha has an illness, the symptoms of which is seen in her holding her neck tight and screaming. Her father Srinivas ([[K. S. Ashwath]]) has a heart ailment. Following another of Sanjay's concert, she confesses her love to him. He, however fails to remember her every time, and eventually, falls in love with her.


==Plot==
Upon diagnosis, it is revealed to Geetha's mother, Dr. Mukta ([[Sowcar Janaki]]) that she has [[blood cancer]], which is not revealed to her father and her. Eager to learn to drive a car, Geetha pesters Sanjay to teach her to drive. Sanjay flusters every time she asks him, and finally reveals to her about his ex-girlfriend Sunanda, who succumbed as a [[Brake fade|brake-failed]] vehicle she was driving exploded. Deciding to get married, Sanjay speaks to Geetha's mother, and she reveals to him of the latter's illness. The illness takes a toll on Geetha's eyes and she loses her eyesight among other visible bodily wounds.
Geetha ([[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]]) is a college-going student, who has co-organised a [[Benefit concert|charity concert]] in her college. Sanjay ([[Shankar Nag]]), a singer, performs at the show singing the track "Santhoshakke". Floored by his performance and good looks, she pursues him. A university champion in [[badminton]], she invites him to her club to play, with an intention to get closer to him and succeeds. However, Geetha suffers from an illness, the symptoms of which is seen in her holding her neck tight and screaming. Her father Srinivas ([[K. S. Ashwath]]) suffers from a heart ailment. Following another of Sanjay's concert, she confesses her love to him. He, however fails to remember her every time, and eventually, falls in love with her.
Sanjay, with the help of Dr. Rudrappa (Lohithashwa) gets an [[Interferon]] drug, an alleged cure of cancer, imported from [[California]]. He collects it from the airport but Geetha breathes her last by the time he arrives at her house with the drug.


Upon diagnosis, it is revealed to Geetha's mother, Dr. Mukta ([[Sowcar Janaki]]) that she suffers from [[blood cancer]], which is not revealed to her father and her. Eager to learn to drive a car, Geetha pesters Sanjay. Sanjay flusters every time she asks him, and finally reveals to her about his ex-girlfriend Sunanda, who succumbed as a [[Brake fade|brake-failed]] vehicle she was driving exploded. Deciding to get married, Sanjay speaks to Geetha's mother, when she reveals to him of the latter's illness. The illness takes a toll on Geetha's eyes and loses her eyesight among other visible bodily wounds.
== Cast ==
Sanjay, with the help of Dr. Rudrappa (Lohithashwa) gets an [[Interferon]] drug, an alleged cure of cancer, imported from [[California]]. He collects it from the airport and Geetha breathes her last by the time he arrives at her house with the drug.
{{cast listing|
 
==Cast==
* [[Shankar Nag]] as Sanjay
* [[Shankar Nag]] as Sanjay
* [[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]] as Geetha
* [[Padmavati Rao|Akshatha Rao]] as Geetha
Line 54: Line 53:
* Shyamala
* Shyamala
* [[Shivaram]] as Linganna
* [[Shivaram]] as Linganna
* Mandeep Roy as Hanumantha
* [[Mandeep Roy]] as Hanumantha
* [[Tiger Prabhakar]] as an astrologer
* [[Tiger Prabhakar]] as an astrologer
* [[Lohithaswa]] as Doctor Rudrappa
* [[Lohithaswa]] as Doctor Rudrappa
Line 60: Line 59:
* [[Kunigal Ramanath]]
* [[Kunigal Ramanath]]
* Sunali (credited as Baby Sunali)
* Sunali (credited as Baby Sunali)
}}


==Soundtrack==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name      = Geetha
| name      = Geetha
| type      = Soundtrack
| type      = Soundtrack
| artist    = [[Ilayaraja]]
| artist    = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cover      =
| cover      =
| border    = yes
| border    = yes
Line 84: Line 84:
}}
}}


[[Ilayaraaja]] composed the background score for the film and the soundtracks, and lyrics were written by [[Chi. Udaya Shankar]]. The album consists of six soundtracks.<ref>{{cite web |title= Geetha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - EP |url= https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/geetha-original-motion-picture/id929917365 |publisher= iTunes |access-date= 8 November 2014}}</ref> Ilayaraja later adapted the track "Jotheyali" as "Vizhiyile Mani" for ''[[Nooravathu Naal]]'' and also as "Jaane Do Na" for the 2007 [[Hindi]] film ''[[Cheeni Kum]]''. "Nanna Jeeva" was adapted as "Devan Thandha Veenai" for ''[[Unnai Naan Santhithen]]''. "Kelade" was adapted as "Devathai Ilam Devi" for ''[[Aayiram Nilave Vaa]]''. The song "Santhoshakke" was adapted as "Adichikko Site Adichikko [Othamal Oru Nalum]" for the film ''[[Kairasikkaran]]''.<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jppMqwsXsJA&feature=youtu.be</ref>
[[Ilaiyaraaja]] composed the background score for the film and the soundtrack, lyrics for which was written by [[Chi. Udaya Shankar]]. The soundtrack album consists of six tracks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Geetha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/geetha-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1802684282 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251216055632/https://music.apple.com/us/album/geetha-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1802684282 |archive-date=16 Dec 2025 |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |website=[[Apple Music]]}}</ref> Ilaiyaraaja later adapted the track "Jotheyali" as "Vizhiyile Mani" for the Tamil film ''[[Nooravathu Naal]]'' and as "Jaane Do Na" for the 2007 [[Hindi]] film ''[[Cheeni Kum]]''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1194461560149889024 |user=NFAIOfficial |title=#Remake#Ilaiyaraaja used the similar tune of his melodious song "Jotheyali" (Geetha, Kannada,1981) for the songs "Vizhiyile Mani" (Nooravathunaal, Tamil, 1984) & "Jaane Do Na" (Cheeni Kum, Hindi, 2007).Enjoy these different versions:@shreyaghoshal #SPBalasubrahmanyam #SJanaki |author=NFAI |author-link=National Film Archive of India |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=16 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921094041/https://twitter.com/NFAIOfficial/status/1194461560149889024 |archive-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> "Nanna Jeeva" was adapted as "Devan Thandha Veenai" for ''[[Unnai Naan Santhithen]]''. "Kelade" was adapted as "Devathai Ilam Devi" for ''[[Aayiram Nilave Vaa]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2020 |title=பாடலுக்கு மொழி இருக்கிறதா..? |url=https://minnambalam.com/2020/08/01/10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101075518/https://minnambalam.com/2020/08/01/10 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=16 December 2025 |website=Minnambalam |language=ta}}</ref> The song "Santhoshakke" was adapted as "Adichikko Site Adichikko [Othamal Oru Nalum]" for the film ''[[Kairasikkaran]]''.{{cn|date=December 2025}}


{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Track listing
| headline     = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 26:47
| total_length = 26:47
| title1 = Geetha
| title1       = Geetha
| lyrics1 = [[Chi. Udaya Shankar]]
| extra1       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length1       = 4:11
| length1 = 4:11
| title2       = Santhoshakke
| title2 = Santhoshakke
| extra2       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| lyrics2 = Chi. Udaya Shankar
| length2       = 4:16
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title3       = Kelade Nimageega
| length2 = 4:16
| extra3       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title3 = Kelade Nimageega
| length3       = 5:11
| lyrics3 = Chi. Udaya Shankar
| title4       = Yene Kelu
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| extra4       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. Janaki]]
| length3 = 5:11
| length4       = 4:36
| title4 = Yene Kelu
| title5       = Nanna Jeeva
| lyrics4 = Chi. Udaya Shankar
| extra5       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[S. Janaki]]
| length5       = 4:10
| length4 = 4:36
| title6       = Jotheyali
| title5 = Nanna Jeeva
| extra6       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| lyrics5 = Chi. Udaya Shankar
| length6       = 4:23
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| length5 = 4:10
| title6 = Jotheyali
| lyrics6 = Chi. Udaya Shankar
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| length6 = 4:23
}}
}}


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|2355603}}
* {{IMDb title}}
 
{{Shankar Nag}}
[[Category:1981 Indian films]]
[[Category:1981 Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:1980s Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:1981 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shankar Nag]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:1981 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shankar Nag]]

Latest revision as of 03:43, 4 March 2026

Geetha
DVD cover
Directed byShankar Nag
Produced byN. Bhakthavatsalan, A. N. Murthy
Screenplay by
  • Arundathi Nag
  • Shankar Nag
Story by
Starring
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyB. C. Gowrishankar
Edited byP. Bhakthavathsalam
Production
company
Pushpa Production
Distributed by
  • Padmashri Pictures
  • Kushtagi Films
Release date
  • 1981 (1981)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Geetha (About this soundpronunciation (help·info)) is a 1981 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by and starring Shankar Nag in lead, alongside Akshatha Rao in title role.[1] The supporting cast features K. S. Ashwath, Ramesh Bhat and Gayathri. Ilaiyaraaja composed the soundtrack and the background score for the film that and was declared a blockbuster musical hit. He went on to re-use four songs from the movie in five different films later. The track "Santhoshakke" from the film became widely popular in Karnataka and is still performed for in concerts and other events.[2]

The characterization of the lead actress from Mani Ratnam 's 1989 Telugu movie Geethanjali was reported to have been partially borrowed from this movie – the chirpy attitude with which the eponymous lead speaks and behaves – and also bore a great resemblance in terms of closure of the movie – where she breathes her last due to cancer in the climax.[3]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Geetha (Akshatha Rao) is a college-going student, who has co-organised a charity concert in her college. Sanjay (Shankar Nag), a singer, performs at the show singing the track "Santhoshakke". Floored by his performance and good looks, she pursues him. A university champion in badminton, she invites him to her club to play, with an intention to get closer to him and succeeds. However, Geetha has an illness, the symptoms of which is seen in her holding her neck tight and screaming. Her father Srinivas (K. S. Ashwath) has a heart ailment. Following another of Sanjay's concert, she confesses her love to him. He, however fails to remember her every time, and eventually, falls in love with her.

Upon diagnosis, it is revealed to Geetha's mother, Dr. Mukta (Sowcar Janaki) that she has blood cancer, which is not revealed to her father and her. Eager to learn to drive a car, Geetha pesters Sanjay to teach her to drive. Sanjay flusters every time she asks him, and finally reveals to her about his ex-girlfriend Sunanda, who succumbed as a brake-failed vehicle she was driving exploded. Deciding to get married, Sanjay speaks to Geetha's mother, and she reveals to him of the latter's illness. The illness takes a toll on Geetha's eyes and she loses her eyesight among other visible bodily wounds. Sanjay, with the help of Dr. Rudrappa (Lohithashwa) gets an Interferon drug, an alleged cure of cancer, imported from California. He collects it from the airport but Geetha breathes her last by the time he arrives at her house with the drug.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Geetha
Soundtrack album by
Ilaiyaraaja
Released1981
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length26:47
LabelSangeetha Music
Ilaiyaraaja chronology
Chinnari Chitti Babu
(1981) 		Geetha
(1981) 		Janma Janmada Anubandha
(1981)

Ilaiyaraaja composed the background score for the film and the soundtrack, lyrics for which was written by Chi. Udaya Shankar. The soundtrack album consists of six tracks.[4] Ilaiyaraaja later adapted the track "Jotheyali" as "Vizhiyile Mani" for the Tamil film Nooravathu Naal and as "Jaane Do Na" for the 2007 Hindi film Cheeni Kum.[5] "Nanna Jeeva" was adapted as "Devan Thandha Veenai" for Unnai Naan Santhithen. "Kelade" was adapted as "Devathai Ilam Devi" for Aayiram Nilave Vaa.[6] The song "Santhoshakke" was adapted as "Adichikko Site Adichikko [Othamal Oru Nalum]" for the film Kairasikkaran.[citation needed]

Track listing
No. TitleSinger(s) Length
1. "Geetha"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:11
2. "Santhoshakke"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:16
3. "Kelade Nimageega"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 5:11
4. "Yene Kelu"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki 4:36
5. "Nanna Jeeva"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki 4:10
6. "Jotheyali"  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki 4:23
Total length:
 26:47

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Kumar, Sheila (23 September 2016). "Living the dream: Bengaluru-based Padmavathi Rao is turning in a series of sensitive performances". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Vasundhara rocks Kudla fans". The Hindu. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ↑ "Finding the Roots of Mani Ratnam's Geethanjali". Film Companion. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Geetha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Apple Music. Retrieved 16 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ NFAI [@NFAIOfficial] (13 November 2019). "#Remake#Ilaiyaraaja used the similar tune of his melodious song "Jotheyali" (Geetha, Kannada,1981) for the songs "Vizhiyile Mani" (Nooravathunaal, Tamil, 1984) & "Jaane Do Na" (Cheeni Kum, Hindi, 2007).Enjoy these different versions:@shreyaghoshal #SPBalasubrahmanyam #SJanaki" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2025 – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ "பாடலுக்கு மொழி இருக்கிறதா..?". Minnambalam (in தமிழ்). 1 August 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Shankar Nag

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